Making Lemonade Out of Lemons
Anthem LemonAid: July 15-17
Anthem LemonAid Registration is Open!
Every week, another child is diagnosed with cancer in Central Virginia. Last summer, Caroline Morris was one of them. Diagnosed in June 2015 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common type of childhood cancer, Caroline has been receiving treatment at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR) ever since.
“It’s not my hair that makes my beauty,” said Caroline, who lost her hair as a chemotherapy side effect, “it’s my heart.” These are just a few of the inspiring words one might hear from 6-year-old Caroline, who has remained optimistic and cheerful during a difficult year.
Now in the maintenance phase of her cancer treatment, Caroline only requires monthly visits to CHoR, which means she can spend more time doing the things she loves most: playing outside, spending time with her two older siblings and filming episodes of “Caroline’s Kitchen,” her at-home cooking show. Currently, Caroline is busy figuring out a special lemon recipe to feature on the show and at her Anthem LemonAid stand this July.
Sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Anthem LemonAid is Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ signature summer event and has been helping kids with cancer since 2001. Now in its 15th year, the event is celebrating its milestone anniversary with a two-year, $250,000 commitment to the Infusion Center in CHoR’s Hematology and Oncology Clinic, where children with cancer receive the chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and immune system boosting infusions they need.
Whether you’re a family, business or community organization, you can make a big difference for local kids with cancer by setting up a lemonade stand the weekend of July 15-17. It’s free to participate and supplies are provided. Each participant is given lemonade mix, cups, a pitcher, a banner, stickers and sunglasses. Stands can be hosted at the retail location of one of our event partners or at a place of participants’ choosing, like a local business, front yard, or neighborhood pool. Participants will stir up and distribute cups of lemonade in exchange for donations and 100% of all funds raised will support the $250,000 goal.
Along with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, other event sponsors include the Credit Union Cares Foundation of Virginia, Children’s Hospital Foundation, RVA Primrose Schools, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Kroger and Panera Bread. Great gratitude goes out to these partners who contribute to the success of Anthem LemonAid, year after year.
To register for Anthem LemonAid, or to learn more about the event, please visit AnthemLemonAid.com or call 804-228-5934.
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About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals across North America, which, in turn, use the money where it’s needed the most. When a donation is given it stays in the community ensuring that every dollar is helping local kids. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of our mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Visit www.CMNHospitals.org for more information.
All funds raised in Central Virginia through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ programs aid in the advancement of health care services for children treated at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Visit www.chfrichmond.org for more information.
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. (serving Virginia excluding the city of Fairfax, the town of Vienna and the area east of State Route 123.). Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its affiliated HMOs, HealthKeepers, Inc., Peninsula Health Care, Inc. and Priority Health Care, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia is available at www.anthem.com.